Smena/Vizit

Okynek, I have the same Smena-5 with mixed gray top, I think it's actually a no-name presieres and I don't think I've actually seen one that had a name plate..

Cheers,
Vlad

Vlad it very interesting information. I read somewhere that sticky glue on the early Smena-5 nameplates was so bad that many cameras loose nameplate during shipping from LOMO assembly plant to the store, and rest of the cameras become nameless before they finish first roll of film. Author insisted that it harder to find Smena 5 with original nameplate then without.
I have later Smena 5 with original nameplate what seems to be glue pretty good to the camera.

Luiz to make Artek nameplate I was using Windows Paint and then printed it on sticky paper with laser printer. Very easy. I could order professionally made nameplate from small local locksmith shop for less then $20US.
I just want to point how easy with today computers change nameplate on the cameras like Smena.

That is very possible that all preseries had name plates fall off from bad glue right away.. it is the first version of this type of camera body.. so probably your theory rings more true...

Instead of putting a new nameplate in an old cвmera
Why not to put a new cвmera ina na old name plate!
That is the Challenge!!!!

quote:

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Originally posted by Vlad

That is very possible that all preseries had name plates fall off from bad glue right away.. it is the first version of this type of camera body.. so probably your theory rings more true...

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Hi guys!

I can't keep silence, when my beloved SMENA is on Topic Okynek is right - all the productional Smenas came with glued nameplates (the only exception is prototype camera, see picture below)


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/612015_Smena-5_indentification_2.jpg

Best regards,
Aidas

Interesting, as even I have a "nameless" Smena-5. Always thought that it was modified by someone to hide that it is the most cheapest one, but if glue was bad, then it is not the reason.


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/612015_DSCF1627c.JPG

The serial is 064267 and the nameplate area is filled with a red resin-type plastic

And I still miss the "multicoloured" Smena-5 so if anyone has a spare one please let me know

Best regards,
Juhani

Sad they had a metal body only for a prototype. But the hands won't get so cold with a plastic body.

When did they stop to sell Smenas with leather-case? The leather-case on the picture above seems to be good quality.

The "5" was a stripped down low cost version. No case, strap directly on body lugs. Inverted lens hood gave some protection. And this Smena had a lens cap

Best regards,
Juhani

I just learnt on Aidas' website that they had a bakelite body first and with Smena-5 they changed to thermoplastic. How is the bakelite condition after over 50 years?

On Aidas' website sovietcams.com there is a Smena-1 PK1920 with only a 4-digits serial. Is this the most rare Smena-1?

In PK1925 Aidas mentioned bad quality. When did this bad quality start, with the new film advance knob, or the 4 black screws, or the bigger 55x55mm faceplate?

quote:

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Originally posted by cedricfan

Interesting, as even I have a "nameless" Smena-5. Always thought that it was modified by someone to hide that it is the most cheapest one, but if glue was bad, then it is not the reason.


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/612015_DSCF1627c.JPG

The serial is 064267 and the nameplate area is filled with a red resin-type plastic

And I still miss the "multicoloured" Smena-5 so if anyone has a spare one please let me know

Best regards,
Juhani

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I'm digging in the Smena threads, as you can see I'm quite interested about these Smenas now.
#064267 is not an early serial number, it's in the second half of Smena-5 production. Unbelievable that GOMZ tried to find cheaper glue in the middle of production.
It's also sad that GOMZ tried so much to be so cheap. With little more effort they could have made many different and special variants, like Swatch-watches. Poor management and a missed opportunity.

quote:

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Originally posted by Lenny

Once I bought a set of two cameras and I told the russian seller to keep the Smena because I wanted to save the tax :)
Was it a mistake?


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/412015_Smena and Zorki-2C.JPG

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Now I know, it was a mistake not to take this Smena-1 from 1955.
Damnit.
But I have another one now from 1956, with red serial number and yellow frame-counter.
I love it.

Back to the glue of Smena-5 name-plates. I saw #002609 with parts of the name-plate still there in the center, at the edges parts of the plate was peeled off. It shows that the glue was pretty good at the start of production, just not enough at the edges.
The picture shows #144654, the highest serial I found till now for Smena-5. It's similar to PK2335 #075884 with a wide rim around the shutter, but this #144654 with a different aperature 22. The name-plate is lost, same as on Juhani's #064267. Seems GOMZ had trouble with the glue for a long time.


http://www.ussrphoto.com/UserContent/2332015_Smena-5 144654 front.jpg